Stamp dispensing machine



June 17, 1952 R. M. SINGER VSTAMP DISPENSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed May 8, 1950 INVENTOR. RICHARD M.SINGER BY 4 M June 17, 1952 R. M. SINGER STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1950 INVENTOR. RICHARD M. SINGER BY 9 GML June 17., 1952 R. M. SINGER 2,601,062

STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE l 71 FIG. 3.

FIG. 4. I02 7/ INVENTOR. RIQHARD M. SINGER BY QM R. M. SINGER STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE June 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 8, 1950 INVENTOE RICHARD M. SINGER Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates in general to article dispensing devices and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in machines for dispensing stamps and the like.

Numerous retail selling firms provide a discount for customers by the use of so-called discount stamps, which are redeemable in trade or for cash. In large department stores, it is neces sary to have windows or counters where such stamps may be issued at numerous locations throughout the store for the accommodation of the patrons as well as to avoid any untoward congestion that would attend if only one such counter were provided. However, even with numerous dispensing counters the trafilc at each is substantial at all times during store hours. Currently, the stamps are printed in sheets which are then bound in book form. The individuals issuing such stamps must make a quick calculation as to the number of stamps, based on the sales slip, to which the customer is entitled and must count and tear the appropriate number of stamps from the sheets within the book. That such a procedure is cumbersome and slow and, hence, costly in terms of salaries is apparent from the fact that large stores must have from two to four employees at each such window. Additionally, the element of human error is always present since employees in their haste to accommodate the stream of customers might easily tear more or less stamps than indicated.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which is adapted for use with a continuous roll of stamps disposed in horizontal and longitudinal lines or rows, and which embodies positive means for selectively presenting a desired quantity of such stamps for ready detachment from the roll.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which is easily and speedily operated, does not require a skilled operator, and is capable of dispensing a total quantity of stamps equivalent to that being issued in the current manner by a plurality of persons.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which has a simplicity of operative parts and is reliable and durable in usage.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form. construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (four sheets) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stamp dis pensing machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along substantially the same line as Figure 2 illustrating one stamp support in inwardly rocked position;

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are transverse sectional views taken along lines 55, 66, and 'l--l, re spectively, of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 88 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the main frame;

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the driving cams and gear segment; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a stamp sup por Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a stamp dispensing machine having a main frame B which comprises a rectangular base plate I having side margins 2, 2', and end margins 3, 3'. Upstandingly presented from the plate I adjacent the end margin 3 is a pair of parallel side plates 4, 4', the upper margins of which are beveled as at 5. Formed with and normal to the vertical axis of the side plates 4, 4, are rearwardly extending arm members 6, 6, respectively, in elevated relation to the base plate I and having upwardly opening bearing recesses l, '1', respectively, adjacent their rearward ends. The side plate 4 is integrally provided with an outer face portion 8 demarcated by a peripheral groove 9 and having its top margin terminating beneath the beveled margin 5. Suitably stamped, inscribed, or otherwise imprinted upon said face portion 8 are vertically aligned dial faces l0, ll, each having preferably ten radially spaced numerals l2, I3, respectively. The numerals [2 on the dial face H! are in units of ten progressing from 10 through 100, whereas the numerals I3 on the dial face H progress from 0 through 9.

Freely journaled in the bearing recesses 1, T. of the arms 6, 6, are the ends of a roller 14 having disposed thereon a continuous roll or socalled coil l5 of stamps is of conventional character which are arranged in horizontal and 1011- gitudinal lines or rows with perforations ll separating the individual stamps [6 from each other. Preferably, the supply roll I is ten stamps wide but, if desired, could be of any selected width. Mounted upon the roller M as by set screws or the like, are spacer collars [8 having enlarged annular portions l9 for preventing lateral displacement of the supply roll |5 upon the roller |4. Disposed forwardly of the roller M is a pair of transversely extending vertically aligned shafts 20, 2|, having suitably mounted thereon feed rolls 22, 23, respectively. The lower shaft is reduced at its ends and journaled within bearing plates 24, 25, secured to the inner faces of the side plates 4, 4', respectively. The upper shaft 2| is diametrally reduced at one end as at 26 for journaling within a bearing plate 2'! mounted by screws to the side plate 4 adjacent its upper end. At its other end the shaft 2| is likewise diametrally reduced for journaling within and projecting through a bearing 28 provided in the depending leg 29 of a bracket 30 secured by a bolt 3| to the side plate 4 and having a transverse section 32 for presenting the depending leg 29 in inwardly spaced relation to the inner face of the side plate 4. Suitably mounted on the projecting end of the shaft 2| is a pinion 33 which is in meshing engagement with an internal gear 34. Said gear 34 is provided with an integrally formed stem 35 which projects through and is journaled in an aperture 35 provided in the plate 4 centrally of the dial face It). Disposed on the outer end of the stem 35 is a dial 31 having radially disposed finger receiving openings 38 in alignment with the numerals |2 upon the dial face W. The end face of the stem 35 is tapped to receive a retention screw 38 on which is mounted a washer 40 and the lower end of a radially extending finger stop member 4| which projects at its outer end outwardly of the periphery of the dial 31 and is provided with a transverse leg 42. Said leg portion 42 projects inwardly through an arcuate slot 43 in the side plate 4 and at its inner extremity is apertured for receiving one end of an extension spring 44, the other end of which is secured to a stud 45 protruding from the inner face of the side plate 4. The spring 44 thus biases the finger stop 4| against the forward end of the armate slot 43, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Mountr ed upon the upper face of the transverse leg 32 of the bracket 30 as by a screw 46 is one end of a leaf spring 41 having its free end doWnwardly curved for engagement with rounded protuberances 48, provided in radially spaced re lation upon the adjacent end face of the roller 23 in correspondence to the numerals 2 of the dial ID, to prevent unauthorized free rotation f the roller 23.

Keyed upon the lower shaft 20 adjacent one end thereof is a pinion 49 for intermittent meshing engagement with a gear section 50 keyed upon a transversely extending shaft 5| vertically aligned with and disposed spacedly below the shafts 20, 2|. The shaft 5| is journaled at one of its ends in a bearing plate 52 mounted upon the inner face of the side plate 4' and its opposite end face is bored for receiving the inner end of a connecting shaft 53 which is engaged therewith by a pin 54 disposed within suitably aligned bores in the shafts 5|, 53. The connecting shaft 53 is journaled in and projects through a bearing 55 formed in the side plate 4 centrally of the dial face H and hav ing its projecting portion of square cross section as at 56 for snug reception within a correspondingly formed aperture 51 in a dial member 58 having finger receiving openings 59 aligned with numerals |3 of the dial face The outer end face of the connecting shaft 53 is tapped to receive a screw 60 on which is mounted a washer 5 i. Out wardly of the dial 58 is a finger stop member 52 secured at its upper end to the side plate 4. Positioned about the periphery of the shaft 5| adjacent the plate 4 is a series of radially spaced rounded protuberances 63 in correspondence with the numerals l3 on the dial face I I for frictional engagement with a leaf spring 64, one end of which is secured to the inner face of the side plate 4, for preventing unauthorized free rotation of the shaft 5|. Suitably mounted, as by keying, upon the shaft 5| is a series of plate cams 65, 66,6153, 59, 10, 12, 13, which operatively relate to horizontally aligned stamps It in the supply roll |5 as in the following manner: The plate cam 55 corresponds to the end or first stamp H5 in a horizontal row of the supply roll l5, reference being made to the right hand side of Figure 3. The cam 65 thus relates to the second stamp |8 in said row, and the other cams 61, 6B, 69, 10, ll, 12, .3, ac-- cordingly relate to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth stamps I6, respectively, in said row. However, since there are ten stamps l6 in a horizontal row of the supply-roll |5, the tenth, or opposite end stamp H3 in said row will have no related cam, as may be seen in Figure 3. Referring to Figure 10, it will be noted that the working edge of the cams 55, 66, 51, 68, E9, 10, ll, 12, 13, are profiled to provide lobes 14, 15, i5, 11', I8, 19, 85, 8|, 82, respectively, of increased radius, which are progressively greater in are by a predetermined increment. For example, the lobe 74 of the cam 65 is relatively limited, being substantially 1 in arc. The lobe 15 of the cam 65 is 36 in arc and the lobes 16, H, l8, 19, 80, BI, 32, of the cams 61, 68, 59, 10, ll, 12, 13, respectively, are approximately 36 greater in arc than the lobe of the immediately preceding cam, so that the lobe 82 of the cam 13 is substantially 288 in arc.

Engaged upon the working edge of each of the plate cams 65, 65, 61, 68, 69, 10, 1|, 72, T3, is a rod-shaped cam follower 83 disposed within, for rectilinear movement through, a bore 84 provided in laterally aligned bosses 85, of preferably rectangular cross section, projecting centrally from the forward face of a transversely extending plate 86, upstandingly presented from the base plate i adjacent the end margin 3 thereof. Said plate 86 is in planar alignment on one of its end margins with the side margin 2 of the base plate and its opposite end margin terminates inwardly of the side margin 2 to provide a space designated 81 through which the gear section 50 moves unobstructedly upon rotation of the shaft 5|. Upwardly of the bosses 85 the plate 86 is transversely of increased thickness as at 88 for extension forwardly beyond the bosses and is similarly of increased thickness laterally of the series of bosses 85 to provide blocklike sections 89, 80, the under faces of which are spaced upwardly from the base plate I. The forwardly presented face of the section 89 is centrally planar with an outwardly projecting boss 9| in its lower portion. Provided on the block-like section 9|) is a boss 92 aligned with the boss 9| and integrally formed upwardly therefrom is a projecting segmental portion 93 having an arcuate upper face 94 substantially equivalent in its transverse dimension to the width of a stamp IS. The upper portion of the relatively thickened section 88 of the plate 85 is relieved transversely from approximately the outer side of a segmental section 93 to the inner side face of the block-like section 89, which distance corresponds to the width of the supply roll I5, to form an arcuate surface 95 extending downwardly and forwardly for cooperation with the arcuate under face of a cap block 96, detachably secured to the plate 84 by bolts 91, to provide a guideway or passage 98, opening upwardly at its inner end and forwardly at its lower end outwardly of and above the bosses 85. Immediately above the bosses 85, the under face of the thickened section 88 is arcuately formed as at 99 for reasons appearing morefully hereinafter.

Drilled in the bosses 9|, 92, of the block-like sections 89, 90, respectively, are aligned transversely extending bores I00, IOI, respectively, for fixedly receiving the ends of a rod I02 on which is mounted for rocking movement a plurality of laterally aligned stamp support members I 03. Each stamp support member I03 is correspondingly related with one of the plate earns 65, 66, 61, 68, 69, i0, II, 72, I3, and is of general segmental shape having an upper arcuate face I04, of similar size to the arcuate face 84 of the segmental section d3, side walls I85 and a forward wall I06, being open on its rear side and having intericrly an integrally formed cross piece II which is in nor mal abutment against the forward end of the associated cam follower 83. Projecting from the base portion of each stamp support member I03 in a plane normal to the plane of the rearward end margin of the side walls I05 thereof is an arm I08 having an aperture I09 adjacent its free end for receiving one end of an extension spring e N8, the other end of whichis engaged about a transversely extending rod III disposed in forwardly spaced relation to the plate 88 and being rigidly mounted at its ends in supports I I2, I I3, integral with the plate 86 and the base plate I, respectively.

It will thus be seen that the springs IIO normally bias the stamp supports I03 inwardly (see Figure 4) causing the cross pieces I81 to bear forcibly against their related cam followers 83 to retain same in contact with the periphery or working edge of the associated plate cam as the case may be. As an illustration, when the cam follower 83 associated with the plate cam 66 is engaged against the lobe I5 thereof, it will be driven outwardly causing the related stamp support member I83 to be rocked forwardly putting the spring IIO under tension. Conversely, when the cam follower 33 loses engagement with the lobe 75 upon further rotation of the shaft 5I, the stamp support member I03 will rock inwardly under the release of tension upon the spring I I8 causing the cam follower 83 to be driven inwardly for continued contact with the periphery ofthe cam 66. lhe arcuate under face of the thickened portion 8% of the plate 88 provides ample clearance for the stamp support member I03 on in ward rocking movement thereof as do the bosses 85 which are relatively narrower than the stamp support members I03 so as to project into the interior thereof, as may be seen in Figure 4.

Particularly, it is to be further noted that when the stamp support members I03 are in outward position, the arcuate faces I04 thereof are immediately outward of and below the forward opening of the passage 98 so that the stamps I6 delivered therethrough will be received upon and supported by said arcuate faces I04.

Finally, a housing or casing I I4 having an elongated recess II5 in one side face for accommodating the side plate 4 with the margins of the recess I I5 being disposed in the groove 9, is fitted upon the main frame B and maintained removably thereon by screws II 8 extending through aligned apertures provided in said housing H4 and in lugs III spacedly positioned about the margins of the base plate I. The forward wall of the housing I I4 terminates spacedly above the base plate I for seated disposition on its lower margin upon the bosses 9|, 92, and is centrally recessed as at II8 for clearance of the discharge opening of the passageway 98 and the stamp support members I03 and the segmental section 93. Disposed across the lower front portion of the machine A is a cover plate II9 secured to the forward faces of the block-like sections 89, 30, and lugs Ill on the end margin 3 of the base plate I by screws I20.

In operation, the free end of the supply roll I5 is led forwardly and trained between the feed rolls 22, 23, thence directed downwardly into the passageway 98 and led outwardly through the forward opening thereof with the first horizontal row of stamps I6 supported upon the stamp support members I03 and the segmental section 93, as may best be seen in Figure 1. It will be seen that the lobes I4, I5, I6, 11, I8, I9, 80, BI, 82, of the plate cams 65, 66, 61', 68, 59, 10, II, 12, I3, respectively, are in engagement with their related cam followers 83. If the operator wishes to issue, for example, five of the stamps I6, a finger is inserted in the opening 59 in the dial 58 aligned with the numeral 5 on the dial face II, and thereupon the dial 58 is rotated in a clockwise direction until the users finger comes in detaining contact against the finger stop 62. This effects a one-half or rotation of the shaft 5| which causes the lobes I4, I5, I6, 11, I8, of the plate cams 65, 66, 61, 68, 69, respectively, to successively lose engagement with their associated cam followers 83, since none of said lobes I4, I5, I6, 11, I8, are equal to or greater than 180 in arc. Therefore, the stamp support members I03 associated therewith will be rocked inwardly causing the stamps I6 supported thereon to be suspended while the remaining five stamps I6 in said horizontal row will be in a supported state upon their associated stamp support members I03 and the segmental section 93, since the lobes I9, 80, 8I, 82, of the plate cams I0, II, I2, I3, respectively, remain in contact with their associated cam followers 83 as their arcs are equal to or greater than 180. The operator may then detach the five suspended stamps I6 from the roll I5 by tearing along the horizontal and longitudinal perforations II, which step may be facilitated by using the adjacent portions of the machine A, as guides. There will, thus, remain the said five supported stamps I6. If the next operation required, for example, the issuance of seven of the stamps I6, the operator will insert a finger within the opening 59 of the dial 58 aligned with the numeral '7 on the dial face II and turn said dial 58 to effect what amounts toa seven-tenths rotation of the shaft 5|. It will be seen that during such rotation the lobes I9, 80, 8|, 82, of the plate cams I0, II, I2, I3, respectively, will successively lose contact with their associated cam followers 83, whereupon, the related stamp support members I03 will be swung inwardly leaving the stamps I6 normally supported thereon in a suspended state, and the gear section 50 will in succession come into meshing engagement with the pinion 49 causing the shaft 20 and the roll 22 disposed thereon to rotate for pulling through the feed rolls 22, 23, a section of the supply roll I5 equivalent in length to the length of one stamp I6 in order to eject the second horizontal row of stamps I6 from the forward opening of the passageway 98. Simultaneously the lobes of each of the plate cams 65, S6, 61, 68, 69, 10, II, I2, 13, will be returned to driving engagement with their their associated cam followers 83 to cause all of the stamp supports I03 to be rocked into outward position for supporting the stamps I6 of said second horizontal row. At this particular stage the remaining five stamps I6 in the first horizontal row will be suspended forwardly of the stamp supports I03. During the last two-tenths of the said seven-tenths rotation desired, the lobes I4, I5, of the cams 65, 66, respectively, will be rotated out of engagement with their associated cam followers 83, causing the stamp supports I63 related thereto to be swung inwardly. Thereupon, the operator may remove the five remaining stamps I6 of the first horizontal row by tearing along the horizontal perforations and may then tear off the first two stamps I6 in the second row which are left in a suspended state by the inward movement of their stamp supports I33. It may clearly be seen that the number of stamps I6 desired for issuance will be presented in a socalled suspended state for ready detachment from the roll I5 and, the operator by removing such suspended stamps I6 is positively assured that the number thereof is accurate and, thus, the necessity of a time consuming count by the operator is obviated.

If the particular number of stamps I6 to be issued is ten or in excess thereof, the operator may facilitate the procedure by utilizing the dial 31. For example, if thirty stamps are to be issued, the operator will insert a finger in the opening 38 in the dial 3! aligned with the numeral 30 in the dial face I thereof and rotate said dial 31 clockwise bringing the finger into contact with the finger stop 4I, whereon the rotation of the dial 3! is continued against the pressure of the spring 44 causing the finger stop M to be moved to the rearward end of the arcuate slot 43, thereby preventing unauthorized further rotation of the dial 3'1. The shaft 2I and feed roll 23 mounted thereon are rotated for pulling forwardly a portion of the roll I5 equivalent to three horizontal rows of stamps I6, causing the three forward most horizontal rows of said stamps I6 to be ejected through the forward opening of the passageway 98. The ratio between the internal gear 34 and pinion 33 is such as to insure that the shaft 2I and roll 23 thereon will rotate the appropriate amount for delivering the number of horizontal rows of stamps I6 requisite for the indicated quantity. Upon completion of this operation, the first three rows of horizontal stamps I6 will be suspended forwardly of the stamp support members I03 upon which the next adjacent row is disposed and said first three rows of stamps I6 may then be readily detached by tearing as against the leading edge of the stamp support members In the manner above described, it is evident that any number of stamps I6 may be readily dispensed by combined or individual utilization of the dials 58 and 37. From the description of the machine A it will be readily noted that there is a marked simplicity of parts which will function reliably and positively without danger of untimely breakdown. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the machine A is readily adaptable for use in dispensing similar material presented in continuous roll form other than stamps. The machine A can be readily modified for the incorporation of motor means for providing automatic operation and can additionally be easily altered for incorporating a counter mechanism for indicating at any time the number of stamps I6 which have been dispensed from the machine A.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of stamp dispensing machines may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letter Patent is:

1. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on said base structure adjacent the delivery opening and being disposed normally outwardly thereof for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, said members corresponding in number to the number of stamps in a horizontal row of the roll, and means for selectively rocking the requisite number of said members inwardly in order to present a corresponding number of stamps for ready detachment from the roll.

2. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, individual resilient means associated with each member for biasing same inwardly, cam means operatively associated with each of said members for normally counteracting the bias of the resilient means, and selector means for releasing the desired number of the cam means from counteracting disposition to permit said members to be rocked inwardly beneath the delivery opening to present a corresponding number of the ejected stamps for ready detachment from the roll.

3. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates being respectively aligned with a stamp support member, a cam follower associated with each stamp support aeonoea 9, ing a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates having lobes or working edges of consecutively increasing arc, each of said cam plates being respectively aligned with. a stamp support member, a cam follower engaged with each stamp support member and adapted for travel along the periphery of the associated cam plate, and means for rotating'said shaft through a predetermined arc whereby contact will be lost between the cam follower and, the working edge of a predetermined number of cam plates so that i the associated stamp support members will rock inwardly exposing the stamps theretofore supported thereon for ready'detachment.

5. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on-the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith,

said cam plates having. lobes or working edges progressively increasing in are by a predetermined number of degrees, each of said cam plates being respectively aligned with a stamp support member, a cam follower engaged with each stamp support member and adapted for travel along the periphery of the associated cam plate, and means for rotating said shaft through a predetermined arc whereby contact will be lost between the cam follower and the working edge of a predetermined number of cam plates so that the associated stamp support members will rock inwardly exposing the stamps theretof ore supported thereon for ready detachment.

6. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, resilient means associated with each of said stamp support members for normally biasing the same inwardly, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates being each respectively aligned with a stamp support member, a cam follower associated with each stamp support member for engagement upon the periphery of the related cam plate and for normally counteracting the bias of the resilient means for maintaining the stamp support member outwardly, and means for rotating said shaft through a predetermined arc whereby a predetermined number of cam followers will lose contact with the working edges of their associated cam plates to permit the stamp support members to rock inwardly under influence of the resilient means to expose the stamps theretofore supported thereon for ready detachment.

7. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure and extending therebeyond at one of its ends, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates being each respectively aligned with a stamp support member, a cam follower associated with each stamp member for operatively relating same to its corresponding cam plate, selector means mounted on the extended end of said shaft for predtermining the are through which the shaft may be rotated whereby through coaction of the cam follower and cam plate a predetermined number of stamp support members will be rocked inwardly to expose the stamps theretofore supported thereon for ready detachment, and means for retaining said shaft securely at the completion of any are of rotation.

8. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, means for feeding stamps through said opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, each of said'members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a fixed stamp support member aligned with said rockably mounted stamp support members, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates being each respectively aligned with a rockably supported stamp support member, said cam plates having working edges, a cam follower associated with each cam plate and adapted for operatively engaging the periphery thereof, each of said cam followers being operatively associated with a rockably mounted stamp support member, and means for rotating said shaft through a predetermined arc whereby through operation of the cam plates and their associated cam followers a predetermined number of the rockably mounted stamp support members will rock inwardly to expose the stamps theretofore supported thereon for ready detachment.

9. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening a roller for supporting the roll of stamps, a pair of feed rollers for delivering the free end of the stamp roll to the delivery opening, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, a fixed stamp support aligned with said rockably mounted stamp supports, each of said stamps support members being aligned with a stamp in a horizontal row of said roll, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, each of said cam plates being respectively aligned with a rockably mounted stamp support member, a cam follower associated with each cam plate for engagement upon the working edge thereof, each cam follower being operatively engaged to a rockably mounted stamp support member, and means mounted on said shaft in alignment with the cam plates for periodic engagement with the feed rollers, whereby upon rotation of the shaft through a predetermined angle the feed rollers will be rotated to deliver a single horizontal row of stamps to the delivery opening.

10. A machine for dispensing stamps from a roll having horizontal rows of stamps, comprising a base structure having a delivery opening, a supply roller for supporting a roll of stamps, upper and lower feed rollers coacting to conduct the free end of the stamp roll to the delivery opening, a shaft rotatably mounted on said base structure in spaced relation to the delivery opening, said shaft being in parallel axial relation to the upper and lower feed rollers, a plurality of laterally aligned members rockably mounted on the base structure in normal outward relation to the delivery opening for supporting stamps ejected therethrough, a fixed stamp support member aligned with said rockably mounted stamp support members, a plurality of cam plates mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam plates being respectively aligned with a rockably mounted stamp support member, each of said cam plates having a lobe or working edge which are of progressively increasing are by apredetermined number of degrees, a plurality of cam followers freely supported in said base structure for axial movement, each of said cam followers operatively engaging the periphery of a cam plate on one of their ends and each engaging a rockably mounted stamp support member 12 on their end remote from their cam plate.- engaging end, resilient means secured to said rockably mounted stamp support members for biasing same normally inwardly, a pinion mounted on said lower i'eed roller, 2. gear mounted on said shaft in alignment with said cam plates for periodic engagement with said pinion, said shaft extending beyond the base structure at one oi its ends, and selector means mounted on the extending end of said shaft for permitting predetermined control of the arc of rotation thereof whereby upon rotation of said shait through a predetermined angle a predetermined number of cam followers will lose contact with the lobes or working edges of their associated cam plates allowing the rockably mounted stamp support members to swing inwardly to expose the stamps theretofore supported thereon for ready detachment from the machine with said gear and pinion causing delivery 01' a horizontal row of stamps to the delivery opening upon each complete rotation of the shaft.

RICHARD M. SINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,264,647 Stearns Dec. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,065 Great Britain Mar. 11, 1913 377,699 Great Britain July 20, 1932 

